Danish Center for Health Economics (DaCHE), Department of Public Health (IST), University of Southern Denmark (SDU) invites applications for a fully funded two-year postdoctoral position. The position is to be filled from July 1^st, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter and no later than January 1^st, 2027. The position is related to a newly funded project from the Independent Research Fund Denmark with the title “Medical breakthrough and financial punishment”.

About the research project

The introduction of new medical technologies raises questions on the drivers behind their diffusion and impacts on healthcare delivery and budgets. The project “Medical breakthrough and financial punishment” investigates 1) the diffusion of a new medical technology, Wegovy, among different types of general practitioners (GPs) and potential crowding-out effects on patient care, and 2) whether subsequent appeals to GPs to avoid overrun budgets, and hereby avoid a financial punishment in the form of decreases in next year’s budget, have led to inequality in access to care. Using a combination of unique survey and register data (from 2018 to 2023) and econometric analyses, the project will uncover heterogeneity in GPs’ responses to these market changes focusing on the GPs’ financial and altruistic motivations (survey data) and their impact on patient care (register data). This project contributes with important knowledge on whether medical breakthroughs may create inequality in care, the effectiveness of financial punishments in motivating behavioural change, and the influence of motivations on GPs’ care provision in response to market changes.

The project is situated within the field of behavioural economics and will be carried out by the postdoc in collaboration with two health economists and a data scientist from DaCHE, a GP from The Research Unit of General Practice, IST, SDU, and a political scientist from School of Public Affairs, Arizona State University.

About the position

We are seeking a dedicated postdoc with experience or a strong interest in applying econometric methods to combined survey and register data. The project aims to analyse the impact of a recent medical breakthrough and initiatives to prevent budget overruns on inequality in access to care. The position involves active participation in all scientific aspects of the project, including data analysis and the preparation of high-quality research papers in close collaboration with the project team. Data has already been collected and cleaned, so the data analyses can begin as soon as the postdoc has detailed the analyses plan in collaboration with the research group. The postdoc will be responsible for the daily management of the project.

Your primary responsibilities

• Lead the project’s research activities, including advanced data analysis and the preparation of scientific papers.

• Coordinate project activities and manage day-to-day operations.

• Disseminate research findings to academic peers and policymakers.

• Contribute to the department’s teaching portfolio.

• Participate in unit meetings and engage actively in the department’s activities.

• Contribute to research group activities, including grant writing, scientific discussions, and the collegial culture.

We expect that you

• Hold a PhD (or view to obtain a PhD degree) in economics, health economics, statistics, data science, or a related field. (Please note that, in accordance with the rules of the Independent Research Fund Denmark, candidates must have obtained their PhD no more than four years prior to the application deadline, excluding any documented leave periods.)

• Have hands-on experience with econometric methods for analysing large datasets.

• Are proficient in coding and data management using tools such as Stata, R, or Python.

• Have a strong interest in the research area and have a strong independent drive to excel.

• Possess excellent collaboration skills and enjoy working across sectors and disciplines.

• Have strong English communication skills, both written and spoken.

We offer

We offer a two-year postdoc position (37 hours per week) starting on July 1^st, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter and no later than January 1^st, 2027, and terminating two years later at DaCHE, IST, SDU in Odense, Denmark. The end date will be adjusted according to the start date

At DaCHE we are dedicated to applying economic theory and empirical methods to answer research questions of high relevance for health policy, and to contribute to the improvement of research methods. Our main research themes are:

1. Health-related behaviour, incentives and motivation,

2. understanding barriers and facilitators that hinder/enhance equity in health and access to health care,

3. eliciting patients’ and the public’s preferences and values, and

4. evaluating effects of new interventions/policies in health care.

We apply a broad set of methods in our research including register-based analysis and enrichment of register data through the collection of survey data. We design our own surveys including survey experiments (e.g. stated preference experiments). We offer courses at the bachelor and master level in Health Economics, Evaluation, Economic Evaluation, Economics of Prevention, Methods of Evaluation, Pharmacoeconomics, and Registry Analysis. 

We offer a dynamic and flexible research environment that is highly academic and interdisciplinary, with strong national and international collaborations. 

For more information on the people at DaCHE and our research portfolio, please visit our website at: https://www.sdu.dk/en/forskning/dache

Employment

Appointment to the position will be in accordance with the salary agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the Danish state.  

Further information

Contact the principal investigator (PI) on the project, professor Line Bjørnskov Pedersen, DaCHE, email: lib@sdu.dk and co-PI Associate professor Anne Sophie Oxolm, DaCHE, asoxhom@sdu.dk for questions about the position.

Application deadline

April 1^st, 2026, at 23:59 hrs. CEST.

Application

Applications must be in English and submitted electronically using the link “Apply now” see below.

We strongly recommend that you read How to apply for a position at SDU before you apply.

The application must include (as PDF files) (please note that the application (the motivation letter) and CV must not exceed 10 MB in total):

• A motivational application letter

• A detailed CV.

• Degree certificates (Master and PhD).

• A complete and numbered list of publications (indicating which publications are attached).

• Up to three publications (or draft manuscripts) you wish to be considered in the assessment of your scientific qualifications. Please attach a PDF file for each publication, alternative merge the publications into one PDF-file

• A teaching portfolio.

For technical issues, please contact: hcm-support@sdu.dk 

Please note that all the above-mentioned information must be included in the application.  Applications received after the deadline and/or incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Assessment and evaluation process

Shortlisting may be used in the initial selection process. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will receive an assessment. Applications will be evaluated by an assessment committee, and shortlisted applicants will receive the part of the assessment that concerns them. The committee may request additional information, and in such cases, it is the applicant’s responsibility to provide the necessary material.

Interviews and tests may form part of the overall assessment. Interviews can be performed online if needed. If you need to relocate to Denmark for the position, SDU will provide ample support. 

SDU wishes to reflect the surrounding society and therefore encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of personal background.

Foreign applicants will be offered Danish language training as part of the employment. The International Staff Office (ISO) at SDU provides a variety of services for new employees, guests and people who consider applying for a job at the University of Southern Denmark. 

About SDU

The University of Southern Denmark exists to create value for and with society. Whether our contribution comes in the form of excellent research, innovative solutions, education, or learning, we aim to make a positive difference and contribute to a sustainable future. We do this by nurturing talent and creating the best environments for research and learning. It is therefore essential that SDU retains, develops, and recruits talent. At the same time, we must ensure consistently high quality in all our activities – something we can only achieve with highly qualified employees. The university’s researchers, teachers, students, leaders, and technical-administrative staff form the foundation of our success.